Power-controlling appliance.



G. E. PRANQUIST'. POWER CONTROLLING'APPLIANOE. APPLICATION FILED MAY s, 1911.4 1,001,835., Patented 1f.ug.29,1911:I

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. E. FRANQUIST. POWER. GONTROLLING APPLIANGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3, 1911.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 we who@ "Unifransrarns rafrnn'r ortica.

GUSTAVE E. FRNQUIST, OFINEW YORK, N. Y..

POWER-CONTROLLING- lAPPLIANGE.

which the following is a full, clear, and eX- act description.

This invention relates to power controlling appliances, and more particularly to a mechaiiism comprising. a }ointed` power trans-- mitting device and a plurality of co-acting parts adapted preferably for' frictional engagement with each other, the said mechanism ,being provided with novel means whereby one or more of these co-acting parts may be actuated directly through the ointed device wit-hout interfering lwith the normal action of the latter. The mechanism in question is especially well 'adapted for use inautomobile construc-` tion, and the like; and in the part-icular arl rangement herein exemplified it includes a multiple disk clutch in combination with a universaljoint, or as it is commonly termed a universal, the clutch being controlled through the instrumentality of a longitudinally displaceable member disposed substantially along the principal axis of the universal.

One object of my invention is to reduce to a., minimum the thickness ofthe clutch proper, measured axially thereof, whereby the overall length of the combined -universal, and the clutch may be made as small .as possible; while the arrangement further contemplates the maintenance of the overall diametral dimensions' of the parts operatively connected to said clutch, of small size, in proportion to the power to be trans- ,initted by these parts.

My invention further contemplates such an' arrangement of operative elements as to permit of readily assembling and disassembling the mechanism, while these elements further co-act to minimize friction therebetween.

Various other novel features are involved, and such features together .with those above referred to, will be hereinafter fully described and more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings which' form a part hereof and in which llike reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a longispeciiieaaon 'or Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 2a, 1911.

Apiiiieauon ined May a, 191i. semi No. 624,720.

I tudinal verticall sect-ion through an automobile drive involvingl my combined clutch and universal. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the clutch properftaken on the line IIe- H of Fig. 1. -F ig. 8 is .a transverse sect-ion of the universal vtaken on the line III-III of Fig. 1L Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5

is a fragmentary detail section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of some of the clutch disks and coperating parts.

Referring v4to Fig. 1 the engine shaft 1 is headed as at 2 to provide means for -attaching the clutch parts thereto, these parts comprising an end plate 3 which is preferably bolted to the head and which in turn carries a drum 4 to' which are attached the alternate disks 5-of.a multiple disk friction clutch, the construction of which will be hereinafter more particularly referred' to.

.The drum 4 has secured thereto, as by meansv of bolts 6, a bearing plate 7 which preferably has somewhat the form of a truncated cone, and is4 provided with a hub 8 within which is disposed a ball-bearing, broadly designated 9,l of any suitable construction, this bearing of course comprising preferably the usual ballv races and balls, the inner raceway being seated -upon a hollow spindle or sleeve 10, which constitutes one of the yconnecting elementsfor uniting the clutch to -tlie elementsof the universal joint, which 'latter has been broadly designated 11. VThe sleeve 1Q carries upon its right hand extremity a gland 12 against which bears one extremity of a helical springl disposed .within the sleeve 10. The other extremity of said spring may be seated in an annular recessformed in a spring washer 14- which is mounted upon a rod 15 lwhich extends axially through the sleeve 10, the left hand extremity of this rod carrying nuts 16 which serve to ret-ain the washer in position thereon, and which nuts further afford means for adjusting the degree of compression of the spring. -Thel right hand extremityiof rod 15 is threaded into the hub ofa` pressure plate 16 of somewhat peculiar configuration as shown in Fig. 1. i

Around the right hand and reduced extremity of the sleeve 10 is the hub 17 of the interior clutch drum 18, this hub being secured veryfirmly in place on said sleeve as by keys 17 and by means of the gland 1Q above-referred to. Drum 18 carries the alternately disposed clutch disks 19, said disks alternating with disks 5 above referred to,

l by reason of its engagement with the lugs 23. VAs the spring 13 is, in this exemplilication all ofy these disks being of ring formation; thosedesignated19 being interiorly tongued at intervals as at 20 as shown in Fig. 5, and being thereby keyed, or otherwise secured, to the interior drum 18 in the usual manner, while correspondingly disks or rings are secured to the exterior drum 4. The respective sets of disks or rings are adapted 'to I plate 16.

rotate lfreely and independently of each other until pressed into intimate' contact with each other by means of the pressure This plate is provided with a series of apertures 21 therein, -through which extend horns or 4prongs 22, which are preferably integrally united to and forma part of the drum 18. The interior drum and the pressure plate are henceadapted to rotate together, and this plate is also apertured atA a plurality of points for the reception of cylindrical lugs 23 which project from a bearing plate 24,`whic'h, likebearing plate 7, has preferably the form of a truncated cone, and which in like manner is provided with a hub 25 within which is disposed a ball bear ing 26. The inner raceof the ball-bearing 26 is mounted upon an extension '27 which projects axially from the head 2 of the engine shaft. The respective extremities of the lugs 23 are preferably offset as at 28 to adapt them for Jfirm engagement with' bosses 29. which are provided upon the web of the innerdrum, and suitable bolts 30 extend throu h this web and firmly unite lugs 23, and t ereby the/bearing plate y24, 'to said drum. There is hence provided a space between this plate and the web 1ofthe -inner drum within which the pressure plate 16 may be reciprocated. The pressure plate is .adapted for slidable `engagement wlth the inner drum and is forced to rotate therewith of my invention, a compression spring, the rod 15 and thereby the pressure plate 16, will be normally urged into clutch engaging position; the action of spring 13v being slightly opposed, however, by the actionof a'plurality of spring fingers 31 which arepreferably formed by incising and .strikingup portions of the disks or rings 5; the outer diameters of these disks or rings being greater than those of the disks 19, and these spring fingers being at the peripheries of the disksj; so that they clear the intermediate disks 19, as best ,shown in Fig. 2. When therefore the rod 15 is urged to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, spring 13 will be fur! ther compressed, but the pressure exerted upon the lfriction disks will be removed, and. by reason of the spring fingers just mentioned the respective disks will automatically and immediately space themselves apart so that disks 5 will ride freely between disks 19.

As shown in Fig. 2 the grooves 32 forwthe reception of the inwardly projecting tongues 20 of the disks 19, by means of which said disks are engaged with the drum 18,A preferl'the arrangement just described it is therefore possible to reduce thenaxial thickness of the clutch properto ,a minimum while securing a maximum strength of construction; the .coning -of the bearing plates, for example, in itself constituting an important detail in that plates of this form may' be made exceedinglystrong in proportion to the weight of metal involved. Furthermore the outward direction of the respective coned plates insures a considerable distance be' tween the bearings 9 and 27, anA exceedingly f meritorious feature.'

- Referring now to the universal which may be of any suitable construction, provided that` the arrangement of parts is such as not to interfere with the passage of a pin 35, or Y the like, axially therethrough; this pin, or ,the equivalent thereof, constituting an essential feature of this portion of my device. The universal is inclosed in a suitable casing 36 which is carried upon the right h'and extremity of the differential casing 37;v being secured thereto in any' suitable manner.

The universal proper preferably comprises two frames 38 which are secured together 1n any suitablemanner, this portion of the device being made in two parts merely for convenience in manufacture, so that to all intents and purposes frames 38 may be re` garded as a singlemember.

Laterally projecting from the respective frames are lugs 39 which arev preferably disposed. in pairs, the two pairs upon either side being ,diametrically oppositel to each other. Two swiveled frames 4Q,l best shown in Fig. 3,. have a plurality of apertures therein, spaced substantially 90o apart, which are adapted for the reception of bushings 41, in which may be journaled pivot pins 42-43; pins/43 uniting the swiveled frames to the lugs 39, labove referred to, while pins 42 correspondingly pivotally connect said frames to lugs 44, two pairs of which project laterallyfrom the left hand face of a plat-e 45, This lugged plate is firmly secured in any suitable manner to the ,fianged extremity 46 of the sleeve 10;v

so that when this sleeve is rotated, the several elements of the universal will be correspondingly revolved.

The universal may be substantially synimetrica] with respect to the plane of joint ure of the frames 88, so thatkthe left hand i l n I a i side thereof,l as viewed in Fig. 1, A1s pivotally connected to a lugged plate 46, which may be similar in all respects to plate 45; and which, is in turn united to the flanged extremity 47 of a -slotted transmission spindle .48. This spindle is ljournaled in ball bearings 49, preferably mounted in the adjacent end of the diHerential casing 37, and the left hand extremity thereof may be coned as at for 'engagement with the hub of one of the'dilferentialgears said gear being designated 51.I The constructionl of the differential per se foi'ms no part of the present invent-ion and has hence been shown in part only. It will therefore be suflicient to state'that. the hub of the gear 5l immediately adjacent the gear proper is journaled in a ball bearing 52 'which is mounted in the casing 37, and the spindle 50 is hence indirectly supported by this bearing and held vagainst longitudinal displacement by it and the bearing 49 above referred to.

Around the spindle 50 and, in part, the extremity 53 of the hub of gear 51, is a nonrevoluble collar 54; this collar `being pivot-ally connected at diametrically opposite points 55 to the extremities'of the arms v56 of a yoke. This yoke is mounted on a rock shaft 57'Which is journaled in easing 37, and is adapted to be oscillated about its pivotal axis by a foot lever 58 which is secured to one extremity of said rock shaft. Secured tothe bodyof the spindle 50 is a sleeve 59 Which carries a ball bearing, the inner race 50 of this bearing being firmly clamped in -position on said sleeve between a collar 61 Which is threaded onto one ex tremity of said sleeve and a flange 62 disposedat the other extremity of the same. This flange carries slotted.. lugs 63, the slots 64 through Which are adapted for the r'eception of a flat and' preferably somewhat trapezoidally shaped key 65, Which is adapted for engagement With a reciprocably mounted plug or pin 66. The respective ends of the key 65 are apertured for pins 67 which are disposed in the lugs 63, so that when the sleeve 59 and race 60 are advanced to the right,iir the manner hereinafter described, pin 66/ Will be lcorrespondinglydriven toward'the right, Whilevivhen this pin is returned to its left vhand osition, in

which it is shown in Fig. 1, it Wi l force the sleeve and its ball race to the left. The key 65 may be moved to the right in the manner described because the body of the spindle 50 is correspondingly slotted at 68, this slot extending transversely 'through said spindle, as shown in Fig. 4, and extending from 69 to 70 as indicated in Fig. 1; the said spindle, of course, being bored axially for the reception of the pin 66.

The right hand endof collan54, as viewed Yin Fig. 1,is enlarged and recessed for the reception of the outer ball race 71 of the ball l'bearing .above referred to, this race being held in place in the collar by a gland 72. When therefore the foot lever or treadle 58 -is swung toward the diEereiit-ial casing it urges the collar 54 and, through the. in? strumentality -of the ball bearing in question, the pin 66 to thefriglit. The right hand extremity of this pin is preferably flattened as at'73 to adapt it for engagement with the rounded or spherical end 74 of the pin 35 above referred to. This latter pin, as aforesaid, extends through the parts of the universal and is so formed and mounted as to adapt it for a slight angular displacement with respect to -the normal This has been acaxis of said universal. complished in the present instance by providin'g the substantially spherical endor head 74 just mentioned, and by forming a collar 75' adjacent the otherextremity, the peripheral surface of this collar being preferably also rounded as shown. The head 74 and collar 75 hence each have but a line bearing in their respect-ive vsupporting sleeves 76, these sleeves being substantially identical with each other and each having a threaded engagement with one of thel lugged plates 45`46. The right hand end 'of pin 35 is also preferably slightly rounded as at 77 'to adapt it for a singlepoint engagement with the correspondingly rounded extremity ofthe alined spring bolt or rod 15.

` By reason ofthe novel arrangement just described, it is possible to at all times actuate'the clutch in the manner described r e gardless of the disposition of the parts of the universal, since the movement of the elements thereof With respect to each other is always moderate, especially along the axial line, and the provision of the rounded extensions on the pin 35 is more than suf licient to accommodate this limited rela-tive displacement of parts along said line. The said arrangement, however, permits of a reduction in the overall dianietralsdimensions of the universal and clutch operating parts,

Lto a minimum, While affording a simple and relatively inexpensive construction. The elements, too, are easily replaceable' and the mechanism as a Whole can be readily assembled and disassembled.

It may be pointed out that'but one spring, if We except the spring fingers 31, is employed in the entire mechanism, the `foot lever being returned `to its upper position by this spring, t. e. the clutch spring 13, when the pressure upon said lever is released.

The casing formed bythe outer drum 4, bearing plate 7, end plate 3 and head 2, may be made substantially liquid tight so that the friction disks may virtually run in oil, or other lubricant, and to this end the left hand extremity of the bearing plate 7 may be provided With a lip 78 which is adapted to retain a packing ring 79 in position, this ring being held between said lip and the ball races of the bearing 9. -It is advisable also to snugly seat the spring abutment or washei` 14 in the bore -of the spindle'lO so that no lubricating fluid may escapetherethrough.

. While Ihave Ashown one form 'of my novel mechanism, I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure exemplied, since Iam aware of many variations which may be made. within the purview of the invention, which I regard as one of considerable breadth and merit, and hence desire to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

f In the particular embodiment of my invention herein shown and described vin detail, the operation is briefly as follows: Assuming thatvthe engine shaft 1 is being driven,-then as'longas the foot lever 58 is A disks 19 and the engine shaft will hence run idle. When the lever 58 is moved or is allowed to move to the right, the pins 66 and 35 Will be correspondingly 'moved to the left and the clutch thrown into operation'by the spring 13; powerbeing then transmitted ythrough the frictionally engaged clutch disks from the engine shaft to the differ'- ential gears.

It is evident from the construction above described that the universal is free to perof the foot lever; and that whether the en-V gine shaft and differential be in or out of alinement the clutch may be controlled with equal facility. v U

Having 'described my -invention, I claim: 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a clutch with a universal, and means for operating said clutch, said means having an operative portion. thereof disposed substantially along the axis of r0- tation of said universal.. p

2. In a device of the 'class described, the combination of aclutch with a universal,

and mea-ns foroperating said clutch, said` means having an operative portion thereof disposed within the confines of rotative elements of lsaid universal.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a clutch with a univers-al,

and means for operating sai/d clutch, said means having an operative portion thereof disposed wit-hinthe confines of rotative elements of said universal, and extending directly through at least one of said rotative elements.

4.' In a device of the class described, the I combination' of a clutch with a universal, and means for operatingsaid clutch, said 'universal comprising a frame, 'andsaid lclassdescribed, the

6. In a device of the class described,- the combination f a clutch with a universal, and mechanism. -for operating said clutch, said universal comprising a frame, and said clutch operating mechanism comprising 4a pinextending through said frame.

7..In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of coperating clutch elements, a spring for actuating "one of said elements, a universal' operatively connected `to one of'saidclutch'elements, and means for moving said spring actua-ted element in opposition to said spring, said means comprising a pin extending through a part of said universal, said pin being longitudinally displaceable therein. A*

8. In a device of the class-described, the combination of a plurality of coperating 4clutch elements,a spring for actuating. one

of saidelements, a universal operatively connected to `one of said'clu-tch elements, and means for moving said spring actuated element in opposition to said spring, said means comprising a longitudinally displaceable pin disposed substantially along the general axis of revolution of-,said universal. form its function'regardless of the position 9. In a device .of the class described, the

combination of a plurality of arts adapted for frictionalengagement `wit each-other, with aunive'rsal, and means, for actuating one ofsaid plurality of parts comprising an operative portion disposed within theconlines of rotative elements of said universal.

- 10. In a device of the class described, the combination of a plurality of parts adaptedv for frictional .engagement with each other, with a universal, andl means for actuating one of said plurality of parts comprising a longitudinall displaceable pin, and a support for saidY pin lhaving a ball and -socket connectiontherewith.

11. In a' 'deviceof the class described, a plurality of revoluble parts adapted for frictional/ engagement wth each other, witha 'I jointedtransmitting device -comprising a revoluble frame, and means for .actuating one of said revoluble parts, a portion of said means extending through said frame.

12. In a ,device ofthe class"described, a plurality of friction disks, a pressure plate for said disks, a jointed power transmitting device operativelyiconnected to some of vsaid y disks, said devicev 'comprising a frame and parts pivotally connected to said frame, and means for'moving-disks with respect to each other, 'saidl meanscomprising a .longitudinally displaceable member 'disposed in said frame, substantially along the axis thereof;

13. In a device of the class described, a`

i plurality of friction disks, a pressure plate for -said disks, a jointedpower transmitting device operatively connected t'o'some of said disks, saiddevice comprising a frame and parts pivotallyponnected to said frame, and; means for moving'said disks with respect to eachother, said means comprising a longitudinally displaceable member disposed in said frame, substantially along the .axis

thereof, said-member being also vangularly displaceable with respect to said axis.

14. In a device of the class described,`a plurality offrictiondisks, a 4pressure plate for said disks, two concentric drums between which said disksv are mounted, 'some of said disks being attached to one of said drums and some of said disks being ttached to the other of said drums, some atl east of4 i said disks being laterally displaceable with Y respect to said drums', one of said drums having lateral projections thereon and said plate having apertures adapted for the reception of said projections whereby said drum and plate are forcedto rotate to-V gether, and means for actuating said pressure plate, said means comprising a spring adaptedto move'said plate in one direction, an abutment for said spring movablev with saidpressure plate, and a pin disposed sub' stantiallyl in alinement with the axis of said` disks, said pin being longitudinally, dis-V. placeable inv the general direction of said axis, movement of said pin toward said drums displacing said spring abutment .and pressure plate.

A15. In a device ofthe classdescribed', a

" n multiple disk clutch comprising two concendisksv and means for moving against the action of said spring.

tric disk-supporting drums, a pressure plateA havirig the body thereof normally disposed within the inner of' said drums, connections between said plate and said innerA drum, a

spring for normally maintaining said plate in operative position with respect to said said plate 16. Ina device of the class described, a

multiple disk clutch comprising two concen- Y tric disk-supporting drums, a bearing plate,

' meansfor securing said plate to the inner reciprocably mounte ableV between the spaced parts just men-v of fsa'id drums, said plate being held. in l spaced relationship to said innerdrum, a

pressure plate mov- 'abut against each otheinr tioned y sure plate.

V1'?. In a device of the class. described, a

and means for actuating said preshollow spindle, a plurality of .friction disks,

twoconcentric supporting drums for said disks, lone of said drums being partially supported upon said hollow spindle, said spinp y dle and said last mentioned drum beingxrevoluble independently of each other, and the other of said drums having a fixed connection with said spindle, a spring in' said hollowspind'le, a pressure plate normally held f by said spring in operative position with respectto said disks, and means for moving said plate in opposition to said'spring 18. In a device of the class described, a hollow'spindle, a plurality of friction disks, two concentric supporting drums for said .disks, one of said drums being partiallysupported upon said hollow spindle, said spin` dle andtsai'd last mentioned drum being rev- -olub1e independently of each other, and the. yother of said drums having al fixed connec-l tion with'said'spindle, a spring in said hollow spindle, a pressure plate normally held in operative position with respect to said disks, jointed parts attached to said spindle and meansfor moving said plate in opposi- In combinatiorh'a hollow spindle, a i

tions, said operating means comprising a rod disposed in said hollow spindle, a longiA tudinally displaceable pin in said slotted spindle, and a second pin extending vthrough said pivotal connections. 'p

20. In combination, a clutch, a transmis-l sion spindle, pivotal connections between Asaid clutch and said spindle, and means for operating said clutch said means compris.- ing .aplurality of alined `parts v adapted lto 21, In combinationfal clutch', aV spindle, y i

pivotal`.connections, between said clutch and spindle, and, means for` operating said clutch, said .means comprising aV plurality of disconnected elements adaptedto abut againsteach other.

. In witness whereof,.I subscribe my signa-l ture, inthe presence 'of two witnesses. ,i f GU's'rAvE E. FRANQUisT.

\ Witnesses:

4 WALDo M. CHAPIN JAMES DAN'roNio. 

